Panic gripped the area around the Amritsar central jail after the attack on the jail officer's house nearly an hour after he returned home from jail.

According to the police, the attackers fired four rounds outside his residence. Two bullets hit his car while the gate of his house and a wall also bore bullet marks.

The Amritsar city police have registered a case in this connection against unidentified persons under sections 307 and 34 of IPC and sections 25, 54 and 59 of the Arms Act at the Cantonment police station on the basis of a complaint lodged by Sharma.

In his complaint, Sharma alleged that he returned home from duty at 8.15 pm and was sitting in the bedroom with his family members at 9.20 pm when he heard shots being fired outside. He said that he immediately came out of his house and saw a motorcycle-borne youth speeding away.

He added that he found two bullet marks on his car, which was parked in the porch. Bullet marks were also seen at the gate of his house and a wall. He alleged that it was apparent that the accused wanted to kill him.

ASI Amrik Singh of Cantonment police station said that a case in this connection had been registered. "Efforts are being made to identify the accused. The matter is being investigated," he added.